Noise induced hearing loss: Screening with pure-tone audiometry and speech-in-noise testing

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a highly prevalent public health problem, caused by exposure to loud noises both during leisure time, e.g. by listening to loud music, and during work. In the past years NIHL was the most commonly reported occupational disease in the Netherlands. Hearing damage caused by noise is irreversible, but largely preventable. The early detection of hearing loss is of great importance, and is applied by preventative testing of hearing ability. This thesis investigates methods of screening for hearing impairment that can be applied in occupational medicine